Buying a laptop for parents

salboy

I'm looking to buy a laptop for my parents as a Christmas present. Neither of them have any computer know-how so I need something that will be easy to use and troubleshoot.

Primarily they will be using it for Skype-ing so a built on web-cam, mike and speakers are essential. Other uses will be light browsing/email.

I want something which is high-resolution as they have poor eyesight, good responsive keyboard and touch pad since my mum has arthritis and her fingers aren't very agile, and a decent battery life so that they don't have to get up and rummage around with batteries all the time.

If it helps to know I will be setting them up with mobile broadband rather than any wires and stuff so if that requires some specs other than a USB port then that's useful to know.

I know it is a long list of requirements but it would be useful to get your opinions. Looking to spend around 400-450 quid, but I see several deals around and i'm sure there will be more until christmas rolls around.

Humphrey10

salboy wrote: »

Neither of them have any computer know-how so I need something that will be easy to use and troubleshoot.

Have they used computers before? If not, have you considered an iPad? They are practically foolproof.

If they don't have good eyesight then a high resolution screen will be pointless.

Do they need it to be portable? If not, a desktop might be better than a laptop - you'll be able to get a bigger screen.

If your mother has problems with her hands, is she capable of using a mouse or a trackpad or a touchscreen? Whatever you decide, I think it would be safer to get her to try it out in a shop to make sure it's comfortable for her to use.
I have no problems with my hands and I find touchpads impossible to use - horrible fiddly things.

gonzo127

sound simular to my mum and dad, however what i would say

responsive touchpad/keyboard - really they will not be learning to speed type or playing fps so its not actually that important, most typing will be single finger and very slow (my mum has really bad arthitus and i have seen her typing)

for skype-ing i would personally recommend a 17 inch screen - although this will limit your choices, but for people with 'bad' eye sight the bigger screen is usually better than higher resolution

also long battery life is kinda meh, most of the time (if they are anything like my parents) they will have it plugged into the wall anyway

salboy

Humphrey10 wrote: »

Have they used computers before? If not, have you considered an iPad? They are practically foolproof.

They've never used a computer before (if we don't count the time when they used the old mainframe types that involved punch cards).

My mum did find my iPad interesting and pretty manageable but it's not a good idea getting Wifi set up at their home. They don't live in the UK and it's going to be a pain for them to maintain the Wifi network themselves. The best internet option for them is the dongle.

salboy

Humphrey10 wrote: »

Do they need it to be portable? If not, a desktop might be better than a laptop - you'll be able to get a bigger screen.
Whatever you decide, I think it would be safer to get her to try it out in a shop to make sure it's comfortable for her to use.

They don't live in the UK, so I'm getting it as a Christmas present. Easier for me to take a laptop down. Plus it will take less space for them too. Also why I can't have them try out something, but I guess if my mum can manage a touchscreen (my iPad) then she should be able to manage a touchpad.

salboy

gonzo127 wrote: »

sound simular to my mum and dad, however what i would say

responsive touchpad/keyboard - really they will not be learning to speed type or playing fps so its not actually that important, most typing will be single finger and very slow (my mum has really bad arthitus and i have seen her typing)

for skype-ing i would personally recommend a 17 inch screen - although this will limit your choices, but for people with 'bad' eye sight the bigger screen is usually better than higher resolution

also long battery life is kinda meh, most of the time (if they are anything like my parents) they will have it plugged into the wall anyway

Yeah you are right. My parents type really slowly too. Agreed on that point.

Their eye-sight isn't very "bad". They both still drive. I just want the resolution to be very clear.

I mention battery life because power breakdowns are common where they live.

Humphrey10

Why isn't it a good idea them getting wifi? Why would the wifi network have to be maintained? All I've ever had to do with modems or routers (wired or not) to fix them is turn them off and on again.

If you are intending to connect via 3G via a dongle why not just get a 3G iPad? It will be the same data tariff.

Humphrey10

Plus it will take less space for them too. Also why I can't have them try out something, but I guess if my mum can manage a touchscreen (my iPad) then she should be able to manage a touchpad.

A laptop doesn't take up any more space on a table than a desktop does. With a desktop the computer can be on the floor, leaving just the monitor and keyboard and mouse on the table.

A trackpad is nothing like a touchscreen. I find them impossible to use, but have no problems with touchscreens. But you can always plug a mouse into a laptop, if you do decide on a laptop.

salboy wrote: »

I just want the resolution to be very clear.

There's no point. You want it to be big, not high resolution. It being higher resolution will not hurt, but it won't make the screen any clearer to them if a normal screen is blurry.

salboy

Humphrey10 wrote: »

Why isn't it a good idea them getting wifi? Why would the wifi network have to be maintained? All I've ever had to do with modems or routers (wired or not) to fix them is turn them off and on again.

If you are intending to connect via 3G via a dongle why not just get a 3G iPad? It will be the same data tariff.

They live in Karachi, Pakistan. Dusting and sweeping everyday by domestic help is common. Wires and devices like the routers and things are almost always exposed and come loose frequently. If no one is around to fix these little things all the time, it will become a pain to get outside help all the time. I'm not very happy with the 3G iPad tariffs available there either.

salboy

Humphrey10 wrote: »

But you can always plug a mouse into a laptop, if you do decide on a laptop.

Good idea. Thanks

Humphrey10

salboy wrote: »

Wires and devices like the routers and things are almost always exposed and come loose frequently. If no one is around to fix these little things all the time, it will become a pain to get outside help all the time. I'm not very happy with the 3G iPad tariffs available there either.

Just fix the wires to the wall with cable clips. The modem and router can also be fixed to the wall.

A data tariff is a data tariff, it will be same whatever device you put the sim in.